AIRS | EHM | City Steps: COVID-19 Response

August 3, 2020 COVID -19 Update

Today Governor Hogan issued another Executive Order to help reduce the spread of the pandemic in Maryland. In this most recent Order the use of masks and face coverings are expanded in the State requiring their usage in public spaces when social distancing cannot be achieved.

The Order also expands the types of businesses that are allowed to re-open in the State. However, our main office will remain closed to the public, staff who are working from home will continue to do so, and residential buildings with restricted access will continue be closed to visitors. We will continue to monitor the data and science regarding COVID-19 and will remain vigilant protecting staff and our vulnerable clients.

July 22, 2020 COVID -19 Update

As our region and the nation struggles with managing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AIRS | EHM | City Steps offices remain closed to the public. Our team continues to provide supportive housing services to our clients remotely and using social distancing, mandatory temperature scans and wearing PPE when in-person work is necessary to perform our duties.

We urge our clients to remain at home to reduce their exposure to the virus. Our residential programs that have restricted access to the public will maintain the current.  Despite the significant inconvenience we feel that this course of action is necessary for the health and wellness of our clients and staff. 

June 3, 2020 COVID-19 Update

This afternoon Governor Hogan continued his easing of COVID restrictions by announcing the beginning of “Phase 2” and further scaled back his previous Executive Orders regarding the State of Emergency. As of Friday June 5th (this Friday) most non-essential businesses will be allowed to re-open.

As stated before, this "re-opening" of Maryland will not affect the current operations at AIRS | EHM | City Steps. Our main office will remain closed to the public, staff who are working from home will continue to do so, and residential buildings with restricted access will continue to be closed to visitors.

This pandemic is not over.

Hundreds of new cases are routinely reported daily in our state and social distancing  practices are not only still recommended, but remain the best way to protect our staff, clients and volunteers.

If you have any questions regarding our position or the status of our operations please let me know. 

May 13, 2020 COVID-19 Update

Governor Hogan announced that Maryland will enter Phase 1 of the re-opening of our state and that the the previous "stay at home" order is being scaled back to a "safer at home" order easing the  restrictions on businesses and gatherings.

This "re-opening" of Maryland will not affect the current operations at AIRS | EHM | City Steps.

Our main office will remain closed to the public, staff who are working from home will continue to do so, and residential buildings with restricted access will continue be closed to visitors. We will continue to monitor the data and science regarding COVID-19 and will remain vigilant protecting staff and our vulnerable clients.

AIRS | EHM | City Steps COVID-19 Statement

AIRS | EHM | City Steps is committed to following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as it relates to health protection. Given the growing concerns in regard to coronavirus (COVID-19), the increased community transmission in Maryland, and the State of Emergency issued by Governor Hogan, we ask that all residents, visitors, staff and volunteers follow the CDC recommendations below:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Cough into elbow if you don't have a tissue.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Adopt alternative greetings that do not require touch such as waving while smiling rather than shaking hands (social distancing).
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Use a hand sanitizer, if available.
• Have an adequate supply of prescription, medications and nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand such as pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins. Have a thermometer, tissues, soap, and hand sanitizer.
• Have extra non-perishable food items at home.

In an effort to streamline some of the information available regarding COVID-19 and the response to the pandemic we are providing the resource list* below. We’ve also included select downloadable documents as well. 

Please bookmark this page, share it with your networks.

General COVID-19 Information & Resources

The following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resources provide additional information:

• State of Maryland COVID-19 Case Map Dashboard
• Maryland Access Point: Health Services for Seniors 
• COVID-19 Situation Summary
• Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance 
• COVID-19 Guidance for Mass Gatherings  
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Employees and Businesses 
• Maryland Department of Transportation Coronavirus 
• Steps for Prevention and Treatment
• What to Do If You Are Sick
• Pregnant Women and COVID-19 FAQs
• Stigma Related to COVID-19
• Facts vs Rumors
• Mental Health and Coping during COVID-19
• SBA Disaster Loan Assistance 
• DOL Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 
• COVID-19 And Your Pregnancy - What You Need to Know
• Maryland COVID-19 Information for  Businesses
• COVID-19: Essential Services for Encampments During an Infectious Disease Outbreak  
• COVID-19: Shelter Management During an Infectious Disease Outbreak  
• National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): COVID-19 Resources 
• Maryland Citizens for the Arts’ COVID-19 Emergency Services and Resources 
• FindHelp.org – Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs that help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, searchable by zip code.
• Resources for Drug Use and COVID-19 Risk Reduction
• CDC Stress and Anxiety Page 
•  COVID-19 Food Handling Guidance for Restaurants, Non-profits, and Food Pantries 

Resources For Baltimore City Residents

Baltimore City created a dedicated website for COVID-19 information. It contains general information about the national and local response to the virus and a list of resource for Baltimore citizens.

The Baltimore City Council produced its own COVID-19 resource site for citizens. Use the links below to quickly navigate their site.

Help and Support

• Non-Emergency Coronavirus Calls

Essential Resources & Information

• Baltimore Covid-19 Free Food Sites
• Baltimore City Public Schools: Closures, Meal Sites
• Recreation and Parks: Permits, Rec Centers, Senior Programs, Meal Program
• City-Operated Senior Centers: Closures, Boxed Lunches
• Baltimore Police Department: Message from the Commissioner
• Baltimore Development Corporation Small Business Survey

Utilities and Services

• DPW Water Shutoffs
• BGE Services
• Comcast/Xfinity: Disconnections, Late Fees, Complimentary Service
• Evictions
• Maryland Health Benefit Exchange
• Public Transportation, BWI and Cruise Ship Terminal
• Parking: Mechanical Streetsweeping, 48-Hour Parking
• PABC Residential Parking: Renewals, One-Day Permits
• Vicinity Energy (formerly Veolia)

City and State Agencies

• Baltimore City Health Department: Permit Applications, Animal-Related Complaints
• Community Action Partnership (CAP) Centers: Energy Assistance, BH20
• Department of Housing and Community Development: One-Stop Shop, In-Person Services 
• Department of Social Services: Offices, Emergency Food Assistance, Child Abuse/Neglect
• Department of Transportation: Safety and Towing, Permit Applications
• Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice: Safe Streets
• Mayor's Office of Employment Development
• Mayor's Office of Homeless Services: Tactical Response Teams, Family Shelters, Emergency Shelters
• The Baltimore City Public Schools Health Updates
• The Baltimore City Public Schools Learning Packets
• Baltimore City Recreation and Parks Alerts
• Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs’ Multilingual Coronavirus Info

Other Information

• Health Guidance for Residents: City, State, Federal
• Restaurants, Bars, Movie Theaters and Gyms: Governor's Executive Order
• Business Resources: Small Business Administration, Layoffs, MD Healthy Working Families Act 
• City Employees
• City Payments
• Enoch Pratt Free Library 
• Family League of Baltimore
• Guidance for Community-Based Organizations
• Guidance for Faith-Based Organizations
• Guidance for Pets
• Jury Trials 
• Licenses and Permits: City-Issued
• Licenses and Permits: State-Issued
• Maryland General Assembly Session
• Multilingual Guidance
• Primary Election
• Travel: Destinations with notices: CDC
• Special Events
• Baltimore Action Legal Team Bail Fund 
• BGE’s Coronavirus Updates Page

Resources for Homeless Services Providers

• Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Disease for People Experiencing
• Homelessness
• Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Disease within Shelters
• Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Disease within Encampments
• Infectious Disease Toolkit for CoCs
• Questions to Assist CoCs and Public Health Authorities to Limit the Spread of Infectious Disease in Homeless Programs
• Specific Considerations for Public Health Authorities to Limit Infection Risk Among People
• Experiencing Homelessness
• Interim Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for US Community
• Facilities with Suspected/Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Eligible ESG Costs for Infectious Disease Preparedness
• Webinar Recording: Infectious Disease Preparedness Among Homeless Assistance Providers and Their Partners
• Entry Screening Guidelines for Homeless Shelters

*Updated July 22, 2020